Overview:

, Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Ingenious) is UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the town of Trinidad, in the province of Sancti Spíritus, Cuba. Forming part of the San Luis Valley, which divides the provinces of Sancti Spíritus and Cienfuegos, it is home to one of the most important sites of early colonial origins in Cuba. The Valley of the Ingenious, as it is so often referred to, includes the ruins of several sugar cane plantations and Cuban-style colonial homes surrounding the beautiful and serene Valle la Güira National Park. These ruins are living reminders of Cuba's once thriving sugar industry that saw the area become the wealthiest region of the country during the 19th century. The Valley of the Ingenious also features an extensive underground aqueduct system, which was designed to fuel the many factories and mills across the area, as well as an old schoolhouse and chapel that were used by the local population. Today, visitors to the Valley of the Ingenious can explore the numerous ruins of the old sugar plantations, wander through the lush and tranquil Valle la Güira Park, tour the entire complex in a horse-drawn carriage, and learn about the fascinating history of this unique site. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Cuba
Prominent Features:

• Valle de los Ingenios, or the Valley of Sugar Mills, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Trinidad, Cuba. • The site is made up of dozens of old sugar plantations, including mansions, a processing plant, and several residences. • The valley is situated on the southern tip of the Escambray Mountains, and is lined with lush greenery. • Visitors to the site will be able to explore the many buildings, ruins, and structures left behind from the sugar industry, giving them the opportunity to learn more about the history of the region. • In addition, the area offers various activities such as horseback riding, hiking, and sightseeing. The nearby towns of Remedios and Topes de Collantes offer plenty of other attractions, as well. • Paella festivals are also held in the valley, showcasing the traditional dish of the region. This national monument of Cuba portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills) was an area locatedoutside of Trinidad, Cuba that once housed many large sugar producers.The area is named for the many sugar mills that once thrived there toharvest the local sugar cane. The first settlement of this area dated back to the early 1600s. By the1730s, a large population of runaway slaves had gathered in the area.Soon, many famous sugar plantations were established, including theSoledad estate of Francisco Javier de Balmaseda, which was establishedin 1740. The Sugar Revolution began in the mid-1770s, and with it came cultural,economic and technological advancement in the area. This period also sawan influx of immigrants, both free and slaves, as well as owners ofthere plantations. By the late 1700s, the area was booming with therebuilding of many sugar mills and plantations. By the early 1800s, the area was known as "The Valley of the Kings"and was considered one of Cuba's most prosperous regions. Throughoutthis time, the region was also a major hub for the Cuban slave trade. The area was a major exporter of both sugar and slaves and was responsiblefor up to half of Cuba's total sugar production by the mid-1800s. The Valle de los Ingenios was officially recognized as a protectedarea in the late 1970s and today is a designated UNESCO World HeritageSite. It is now an important tourist attraction and remains a symbol ofCuba's colonial past. You must visit one of these historical places in Cuba on your Cuba tour

Interesting facts:

1. Valle de los Ingenios is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, and one of Cuba’s most important cultural and historical gems. 2. Located in the city of Trinidad in the Sancti Spiritus province, the Valle de los Ingenios is made up of over 240 hectares of land, and 110 monuments including churches, bridges, sugar mills and more. 3. The Valle de los Ingenios was once the center of Cuba’s lucrative sugar production industry, with many large plantations and an estimated 25,000 slaves working on them in the 16th century. 4. Over the years, the land has been badly damaged by floods and hurricanes. Most of the buildings were destroyed and the surviving ones are being restored. 5. The centrepiece of the Valle is the Manaca Iznaga Tower, a 45m-tall tower built in the early 18th century. From the top of the tower, the slavemasters would keep watch over the plantations and the slaves working in them. 6. The Valle de los Ingenios is also home to the picturesque El Cubano Libre, a former sugar mill built in the 19th century. Today it is a museum and the site of regular cultural activities. 7. Nestled in the Valle de los Ingenios is the town of Manaca Iznaga. Originally built in the 18th century, the town today is one of the most beautiful village towns in Latin America, with its cobblestoned streets, brightly coloured buildings and well-preserved colonial houses. Visit one of the famous monuments of Cuba with your friends and family.